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PMID: 4430473 Published · ppublish English Clinical Trial Journal Article Randomized Controlled Trial

Treatment of chronic hepatic encephalopathy with levodopa.

Gut ·Vol. 15 ·No. 7 ·1974-07-00 ·Pages 555-61

Lunzer M, James IM, Weinman J, Sherlock S

Abstract

Three of six patients with chronic hepatic encephalopathy treated with levodopa showed a significant improvement. One patient was probably improved whilst the remaining two patients failed to show any benefit. Serial electroencephalography did not demonstrate significant changes. Treatment with levodopa was associated with an improvement in ;speed-based' tasks as assessed by computerized psychometry. A significant rise in cerebral oxygen consumption was found during levodopa therapy. Gastrointestinal side effects were dose limiting. It is concluded that a therapeutic trial of levodopa in patients with chronic hepatic encephalopathy is indicated when the response to conventional therapy has been poor.

MeSH Terms
Adult Aged Brain/metabolism Cerebrovascular Circulation/drug effects Chronic Disease Computers Dihydroxyphenylalanine/adverse effects,pharmacology,therapeutic use Electroencephalography Female Glucose/metabolism Hepatic Encephalopathy/drug therapy,metabolism,physiopathology Humans Krypton Male Middle Aged Oxygen Consumption/drug effects Psychological Tests Radioisotopes Stimulation, Chemical Xenon
Chemicals
Radioisotopes Xenon Krypton Dihydroxyphenylalanine Glucose
Authors & Affiliations
4 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Lunzer M
James I M
Weinman J
Sherlock S
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Article Info
Journal
Gut
Abbr.
Gut
ISSN
0017-5749
DOI
10.1136/gut.15.7.555
Published
1974-07-00
Pages
555-61
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
2985108R
PMCID
PMC1412974
Subset
IM
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1136/gut.15.7.555 PMC Full Text View journal details
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